Today's Edition
NEW YORK (AFP)
Google on Wednesday unveiled new Pixel 10 smartphones that promise more artificial intelligence capabilities, as it seeks to elbow out competition in the emerging AI-assistant market.
Comedian Jimmy Fallon hosted a launch event in Brooklyn that blended Google product pitches with stars such as The Jonas Brothers band and Stephen Curry of the Golden Gate Warriors basketball team.
The line-up of new products included a foldable phone, improved Pixel smartwatch, and ear buds all synced to work with AI and each other.
Pixel phones claim a scant portion of a high-end smartphone market ruled by Apple, Samsung, and Xiaomi, but custom Google hardware is an opportunity for the internet giant to highlight what is possible with its Android mobile operating system and the Gemini AI assistant.
Google is not the only one putting AI in phones. South Korean consumer electronics giant Samsung has made AI a centerpiece of its Galaxy smartphone line and recently released a new Galaxy Z Fold7.
Google's product team described the new Pixel Watch 4 as a redesigned experience that marks the biggest update to the line.
Features include smartwatch fitness tracking fine-tuned to distinguish between activities such as walking, bicycling, or tennis.
The Pixel Watch also enables users to command Gemini AI assistant from one's wrist.
Gemini detects the mood of whoever is speaking to it and adjusts its responses accordingly, and can even "look" through the phone camera to offer photo suggestions, according to the Google team.
AI was also used to add 100x telephoto lens capability to Pixel smartphone camera.
Pixel 10 prices start at $799, with the Pixel Pro Fold model starting at $1,799.
